Just a month after the lads run at the Fillmore that became the bulk of Live Dead and the band shows no sign of slowing down. The setlist is long, the transitions really well played and the jamming is stellar. They just got a little more sophisticated if not more firey. Hard To Handle is still in its infancy and not played with the swagger that they'd get to the next couple of years, however the Cryptical>Other One>Eleven>Other One>It's a Sin is wonderful as is the ragged but right Viola Lee Blues>Caution>Viola>Feedback>What's Become of the Baby?>Feedback>We Bid You Goodnight jam sandwich. This show is deserving of a Dick's Pick, truncated that Pick may be.

Spring '69 you can't go wrong really.

Dick picked 2/23+24/68, 5/2/70, 2/13+14/70, 10/31/71, 9/27/72, 2/26, 2/28, 11/30, 12/2/73 and this. I think he knew exactly what he was doing.
Even 5/22/77, 2/3+5/78, 9/2/80 and 5/6/81 showed significantly good taste for later Dead. He probably only selected material later than that to be fair to latecomers because I was not impressed.

April 1969 is a great month.

It would have been REALLY nice for them to include the entire performance on DP 26(i'm sure i'll never get to hear that feedback>baby), but as is it gets a 4 from me. i think the next night (4/27) kicks the crap outta this show for the most part. a pretty unique setlist however, as well as possibly the finest version of Mountains of the Moon on tape. And this show was played at the Electric Theater which apparently is now the Kinetic Playground on Chi-Town's North Side; A very tiny venue were I have personally seen several shows.

I know, this is for a review of the show, not a rant: OK, it's excellent. I am hooked on and am mining this era obsessively, and wonder, how many shows here- any year- actually got "bad" reviews?

What I heard of this show is great. I love how even with a significantly smaller repertoire the band's ability to surprise and impress was never greater, not even (or especially) with the baggage of 200+ tunes over the years. (Or however many, I know I have no clue)

The playing on "Mountains" is sensitive and lyrical, Jerry's vocals filled with passion. Compare this to any 90's, say... anything. I spent most of my time at shows from 73 to 90 wondering what these days were like and now at last, I am able to explore at will.

Or, almost. I have absolutely no reservations in purchasing a show I seek when it is "commercially available", but what led me to this particular event was the only performance of "What's Become of the Baby". I know it was only a loop, but it was important. And so to discover what a great show this must have been in toto made the tragic realization of how much was left off of the Dick's Pick even harder to bear.

I am glad for those releases, but the way they are arbitrarily sliced and diced, mix-n'-matched and otherwise repackaged is, to this serious fan, a major affront.

37 years ago today the band was tearin chicago apart its a sin that its a sin never stuck in there repitoire smokin viola but not the best i tape i have is old and i broke it out cause i ran across it today by luck the sound quality on mine is muddy and some hiss and mts of the moon is inaudible at times but overall all i enjoyed the show it was a treat i love a whole set practically of encores and a nice doin that rag too
stars 4
sound 3.5

ps i have the whole show tamedturtle@hotmail.com

I hope it's still around somewhere; The best part was the encore of Viola Lee>Feedback>etc. with "What's Become of the Baby" played over the PA. Definitely a mindbender.

I know we sound like ingrates because we get so much good music for nothing, but I think it's a crime that this encore was left off the official release. And as long as we're bitching, does anyone know whats up with 8-27-72?

I don't mean to be a downer, but Jerry's opinion was once played "they can have it" and I thought the band was down with that too over the years. I personally notice a blandness with the "official" releases that doesn't seem to be there on straight Aud./SDBD's, along with prefering to make my own decision if I want an entire show or to hack it up myself. I've be paying to the Dead organization for over 2 decades at this point and really feel this "official release" rule of making a show off limits trade-wise to be lame. I would like to have a copy of this ENTIRE show if anyone could hook me up. I won't tell if you don't. Thanks.

Just got the dicks picks and this is incredible but i need the rest of this show!!!! PLEASE email me if you have it. bdragon89@hotmail.com

To thisistoto
PLEASE email me at: dogdrjoh@peoplepc.com so we can work something out and I can get a copy of this entire show. I doubt I have anything you dont have as it is nearly all here, but PLEASE PLEASE REPLY

As long as we are still allowed to "trade" this one, I have the 3 disc complete show. Just drop me a line if you wanna trade or B&P (Note: I do not have the original files, just audio CD-R, im super pissed about that)

Why can't the songs missing from DP26 be available here?

WBOTB was NOT played by the band - the studio version was played over the PA during the Feedback segment.

Only a numbskull would release this show and fail to include the encore --at least Feedback>What's become of the baby>Bid you goodnight.

Viola Lee blues is actually pretty sloppy, but it is very intense.

WBOTB is extremely rare, as far as I know. I'm not sure if this is the only one I've heard or not. I may have another in my collection...

But regardless, this performance is the most avant-garde thing I've ever heard the band do. It is a really, really, interesting performance. I'd like to know if there are any additional musicians involved in the electronics.

Fascinating and extraordinary piece of music.

--Mark Charalambous

I agree with the others that the parts of this amazing show that did not make in onto the DP release should be allowed on this site (much the same as 100 year hall outakes are offered). Call it "Electric Theater Out-takes" if you please (I am on my hands and knees)........

Please, please!! Where's the encore. That was not officially released. Where's "What's Become Of The Baby?" The one piece of Grateful Dead audio trivia that I most want to hear is being denied my ears. Please help!!

I must have that "What's become...Feedback"!!!

This is a five star show...no doubt.

I was turned on to this site 2 months ago. So DP 26 was already out.

Please, someone put up their tape of the encore only (not on DP 26).

that the best part of the show isn't on the official release. It would be nice if at least the encore was available here.

Recommend using the shorten .zip file to "save as" otherwise you get all the files that are in the way when your ready to convert,,Otherwise this is a must have for '69er's...Peace

Parts of this turn up on DP 26 and Fallout from the Phil Zone. The Lovelight is great, but the real treat is the long feedback section after Viola Lee Blues. What becomes of the baby is played over the PA while the band go nuts!